Additions extend the Alliance’s reach and influence to strengthen the cleantech industry through member collaboration, education, and advocacy
SEATTLE; February 4, 2022 – CleanTech Alliance, the nation’s largest clean technology industry association, has elected five new members to its Board of Directors, extending the Alliance’s industry expertise, reach, and influence. The newly elected Board members include:
- Jessie Barton, Communications Lead, Helion Energy
- Tatsuya (Ted) Fuse, Vice President and General Manager, Seattle Branch, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)
- Jodi Guthrie, Global Director of Sales, SHARC Energy Systems
- Jason Puracal, CEO and Co-Founder, ZILA Works
- Josh Sweere, Principal Systems Engineer, First Mode
The Board also installed a new slate of officers, and is pleased to welcome as Board Chair:
- Virginia Emery, Founder and CEO, Beta Hatch
Emery currently leads an internationally recognized company based in Cashmere, Washington that is industrializing insect agriculture within a regenerative food system.
“My company is on the agtech side of cleantech,” Emery said. “In my new role as Board Chair, I’m very excited to reach out to adjacent industry sectors, in addition to traditional energy markets. As a rural-based business, we are also excited to highlight rural opportunities for clean technology.”
Outgoing Board Chair Reeves Clippard, founder and CEO of A&R Solar, explained: “Virginia Emery has been highly involved with the CleanTech Alliance for years and will continue to play a key role as its new Board Chair, especially in strengthening efforts to represent rural members and technologies beyond energy and transportation needed to achieve a clean future.”
During his tenure as Chair, Reeves was integral in guiding the organization through a change in CEO leadership, defining its strategic objectives, and positioning its membership to adapt to an emerging suite of climate legislation in Washington State.
Additional officers include:
- John R. Kane, President and CEO, Kane Environmental Inc. (as Board Vice Chair)
- Jimmy Jia, Managing Partner, The Jia Group (as Board Treasurer / Finance Committee Chair)
- Callie Bendickson, Principal, Corporate Social Responsibility, Itron, Inc. (returning for another term as Secretary)
Looking ahead, the CleanTech Alliance is excited to expand its initiatives, thanks to significant economic investment at both the state and federal levels. One example of this new funding comes from the Innovation Cluster Accelerator program supported by the Washington State Department of Commerce, which has awarded economic development grants to five high-growth industries.
“Our CleanTech Built Environment Cluster will advance the development and adoption of clean technologies to decarbonize elements of the built environment,” President and CEO Mel Clark said. “Our distinguished Board will help guide this vision for growth.”
About the CleanTech Alliance
CleanTech Alliance is the largest cleantech trade association in the nation, representing more than 1,100 member organizations spanning 17 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. The Alliance facilitates the generation and growth of cleantech companies and jobs through a variety of educational programming, research, products and services. Learn more at www.CleanTechAlliance.org.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Audet
Director of Programs and Communications
CleanTech Alliance
jennifer@cleantechalliance.org